Module 2 Chapter 10: Pain Assessment Flashcards
Pain is a __________ experience
subjective
what are nociceptors?
specialized nerve endings designed to detect pain and transmit to the CNS
which fibers transmit a rapid signal?
Alpha fibers
which fibers transmit a slower sgnal?
C fibers
What are the phases of nociception?
- Transduction
- Transmission
- perception
- Modulation
• Transduction
– Noxious stimulus takes place in the periphery
• Transmission
– Pain impulse moves from the level of the spinal cord to the brain
* When the Pain is moving*
• Perception
Conscious awareness of a painful sensation
* when you are aware of the pain*
• Modulation
The pain message is inhibited by neurotransmitters which produce an analgesic effec
Neuropathic pain
abnormal processing of the pain message
* often percieved long after the injury has healed
What classifies as a Nociceptive pain?
- Burns
- Surgery
- Cuts and scrapes
- Kidney stones
- Menstrual cramps
- Muscle strains
What classifies as a neuropathic pain?
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Herpes zoster (shingles) • Sciatica
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Phantom limb pain
- Chemotherapy
• Visceral
– Originates from larger internal organs – Dull, deep, squeezing, cramping
• Somatic
– Musculoskeletal tissues or body surface – Well localized and easy to pinpoint
• Deep somatic
– Blood vessels, joints, tendons, muscles, bones – Aching, throbbing
• Cutaneous
– Skin and subcutaneous tissues
• Referred
– Pain felt in a particular site but originating in a different site
acute pain
- Short term and self- limiting
- Follows a predictable trajectory
- Dissipates after injury heals
- Self-protective purpose
Chronic pain
• Duration > 6 months
• Does not stop when the
injury heals
• Originates from abnormal processing of pain fibers
pain rating scale
from 0-10
what are the different pain rating scales ?
- Numeric rating scales
- Verbal descriptor scales
- Visual analog scales
what are some initial pain assessment questions?
• Where is your pain? • When did your pain start? • What does your pain feel like? – Burning, stabbing, aching – Throbbing, fire like, squeezing – Cramping, sharp, itching, tingling – Shooting, crushing, sharp, dull • How much pain do you have now? • What makes your pain better or worse? How does pain limit your function or activities?
pain assessment in infants
– Incapable of self-report
– Must rely on non-verbal cues (crying, changes in facial expressions and body activity)
–CRIES
what scale is used for pain assessments in infants ?
FLACC scale
At age 2, most children can report pain and point to where it is. ______ can be introduced at 4-5 years
Rating scales
what other scales are introduced around age 4-5?
– Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R]) ]
- Oucher Scale
what is FLACC?
Nonverbal assessment tool for infants and children < 2
physical findings may______ always support patient’s pain complaints, particularly for chronic pain syndromes
NOT
what are some acute pain behaviors?
- guarding
- grimacing
- vocalizing
- agitation
- change in vital signs
- diaphoresis
what are chronic pain behaviors?
- bracing
- rubbing
- diminished activity
- sighing
- change in appetite
- increased sleeping
